Kerala Police have arrested eight BJP-RSS workers in connection with the murder of a man who had recently converted to Islam, according to a report in The Times of India.
Faisal, originally Anil Kumar six months ago, was found dead in a drain at Kodinhi on November 19. He is said to have worked as a driver in the Middle East and had converted to Islam with his wife and child.
Those arrested include one Pullani Vinod who is the brother-in-law of Faisal. The report mentions that the others arrested by the Tirurangadi police in connection with the case are: Pullani Sajeesh (32), also a relative of Faisal, Pulikkal Haridasan (30), Pulikal Dineshan (39), Chanath Suni (39), Kalathil Pradeep (32), Thayyil Lijeesh (27) and Kottayil Jayaprakash (50). They are all said to be associated with the BJP/RSS.
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Malappuram DSP Pradeep Kumar told the newspaper that Faisal’s murder was carried out by Vinod to avoid more such conversions within the family. He is said to have approached Haridasan, Shaji, Suneesh and Sajeesh who are local leaders with a Hindu organization.
The group is said to have approached senior leaders after this, and one, Jayaprakash convened a meeting at Malappuram. The decision to kill Faisal was reportedly taken at the meeting say the police, and a three-member gang was set up to take out the problem.
Faisal’s mother is said to have revealed later that her son did get threats from his brother-in-law over his conversion.
